The United Kingdom (UK) announced on Tuesday that it is suspending direct bilateral financial aid to Rwanda, with exceptions for programs benefiting the poorest and most vulnerable, in a bid to pressure Kigali to stop supporting M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
The decision, announced by the UK government, is one of five measures London said it is taking to urge Rwanda to cease its support of the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In addition to the aid suspension, the UK will halt future defense training assistance and demanded that Rwanda “withdraw all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory.”
Sanctions Against Rwanda
Other sanctions outlined in a statement released by the UK government on Tuesday include a review of export licenses to the Rwandan military, a suspension of high-level attendance at events hosted by the Rwandan government, and a restriction on trade promotion activities with Rwanda. The UK also stated it will “coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions designations.”
“The UK is deeply concerned by the situation in eastern DRC. The Foreign Secretary met with President Tshisekedi in Kinshasa and President Kagame in Kigali on February 21 and 22.
“In his meetings, he was clear that there can be no military solution to the conflict. There must be an immediate cessation of hostilities. The recent offensives by M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), including the capture of Goma and Bukavu, are an unacceptable violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of the UN Charter.”
“The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC is critical. Close to a million people have been recently displaced in eastern DRC and hundreds of thousands are in desperate need of lifesaving support. There is a responsibility on all parties to protect the people of eastern DRC who have suffered so much in this conflict,” the UK government statement continued.
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“The Foreign Secretary urged both leaders to engage meaningfully and in good faith with African-led peace processes to find a lasting political solution.”
London Calls For Adherence From All Parties
London is calling on all parties to adhere to the commitments made at the joint EAC-SADC summit on February 8, which called for a ceasefire, withdrawal from occupied territory, and a renewed commitment to dialogue. “The Foreign Secretary has been clear that there would be a strong response from the international community in response to the escalating conflict.”
In recent weeks, the UK has worked closely with international partners, including those from the G7 and the International Contact Group on the Great Lakes, on coordinating this response. The UK says it has also used every appropriate opportunity, including at the United Nations Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council, to call for a resolution to the conflict in Eastern DRC.
“During the Foreign Secretary’s visit, he announced an additional package of £14.6 million of humanitarian support to help those in Eastern DRC who are suffering most. The UK calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, respect for international humanitarian law, meaningful engagement with African-led peace processes, and the withdrawal of all Rwanda Defence Forces from Congolese territory.”
Furthermore, the UK’s action adds to growing pressure from the European Union and individual governments of Belgium and the United States. Last week, the US sanctioned Rwanda’s Minister for Regional Integration, James Baturebe, and M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka over the M23 offensives in the Congo. The M23 has seized control of Goma and Bukavu, two of the largest cities in eastern Congo, and has threatened to continue its advance.
On Saturday, Kanyuka told journalists that the M23 rebel group was now ready to sit down with the government in Kinshasa. The Congolese government has refused to engage in talks with the group, accusing it of being controlled by Kigali.
